Field configuration of commercial water heaters

ABSTRACT

A system and method for configuring a water heater. The method includes capturing, with a mobile device a scannable feature of a rating plate and receiving, with the mobile device, an input indicative of a configuration selection. The method further includes configuring, with the mobile device, the water heater based on the configuration selection.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/877,088, filed Jul. 22, 2019, the entire content ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference for all that is taught.

FIELD

Embodiments relate to water heaters, and more specifically, configuringwater heaters in a wholesale environment.

SUMMARY

Commercial gas water heaters are offered for sale in a variety ofstorage and input sizes, as well as specific models for Natural or LPgas. Wholesalers keep several models in their inventory in an attempt tohave the correct size water heater in the event of an emergencyreplacement. However, wholesalers regularly do not have all models instock, as the inventory carrying cost is high, and some model sizes andfuel types do not have the sales volume to justify the inventoryexpense. Accordingly, there is a possibility of a specific model waterheater failing to be in stock, potentially leaving a consumer in adifficult position.

Additionally, wholesalers may struggle to maintain the correct inventorylevels for the water heater configurations needed to have the unit instock when they receive an order. Approximately 75% of the commercialgas market is for replacement, and the wholesaler who has the rightmodel in stock typically gets the sale. Accordingly, there is a need toassist wholesalers with maintaining inventory levels based on waterheater models and configurations.

Embodiments disclosed herein will allow wholesalers to maintain only afew core units in stock and configure them as needed once an order hasbeen received. Maintaining a few core units reduces complexity in theprocess of purchasing water heaters, as well as reduces the cost forboth buyers and wholesalers.

Accordingly, embodiments described herein provide systems and methodsfor configuring commercial water heaters. One embodiment includes asystem for configuring a water heater, the system comprising a ratingplate coupled to the water tank, and a mobile device. The mobile deviceis configured to capture a scannable feature of the rating plate,receive an input indicative of a configuration selection, and configurethe water heater based on the configuration selection.

In some embodiments, in response to capturing the scannable feature, themobile device is further configured to display a plurality ofconfigurations associated with the water heater. In some embodiments, inresponse to receiving the input indicative of the configurationselection, the mobile device is further configured to generate aninvoice based on the configuration selection. In some embodiments, thescannable feature is one selected from a group consisting of a QR codeand an NFC tag. In some embodiments, configuring the water heaterincludes the mobile device communicating with a controller of the waterheater using near field communication. In some embodiments, the mobiledevice is further configured to access an application associated withthe water tank. In some embodiments, the water tank is stored in awholesale environment. In some embodiments, configuring the water heaterincludes configuring the water heater to a British Thermal Unit input.In some embodiments, the water heater is one selected from a pluralityof water heater base units. In some embodiments, each of the pluralityof water heater base units has a unique plurality of possibleconfigurations.

Another embodiment is directed to a method for configuring a waterheater. The method includes capturing, with a mobile device, a scannablefeature of a rating plate, receiving, with the mobile device, an inputindicative of a configuration selection, and configuring, with themobile device, the water heater based on the configuration selection.

In some embodiments, the method includes displaying, with the mobiledevice and in response to the scannable feature, a plurality ofconfigurations associated with the water heater. In some embodiments, inresponse to receiving the input indicative of the configurationselection, the method includes generating, with the mobile device, aninvoice based on the configuration selection. In some embodiments, thescannable feature is one selected from a group consisting of a QR codeand an NFC tag. In some embodiments, configuring the water heaterincludes the mobile device communicating with a controller of the waterheater using near field communication. In some embodiment, prior tocapturing the scannable feature, the method includes accessing, with themobile device, an application associated with the water heater. In someembodiments, configuring the water heater includes configuring the waterheater to a British Thermal Unit input. In some embodiments, configuringthe water heater includes transmitting software from the mobile deviceto the water heater. In some embodiments, the software includes controlinformation for at least one selected from a group consisting of a gasvalve of the water heater and a blower of the water heater. In someembodiments, the water heater is one selected from a plurality of waterheater base units.

Other aspects of the application will become apparent by considerationof the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a water heater according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a mobile device according to someembodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the water heater of FIG. 1 according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method performed by the mobile device ofFIG. 2 according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate graphical user interfaces shown on the mobiledevice of FIG. 2 according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the application are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the application is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the followingdrawings. The application is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The useof “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof hereinis meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limitedotherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled”and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct andindirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further,“connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanicalconnections or couplings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a water heater 10 according to some embodiments. Asillustrated, the water heater 10 may include a tank 15, a primary ratingplate 20, and a first transceiver 30. The primary rating plate 20 may betransfixed to the tank 15 and may contain information such as a modelnumber, a capacity of the tank 15, an accepted gas type, a BritishThermal Unit (BTU) input, an inlet size, a rated P.S.I. pressure, andthe like. A plurality of adjacent rating plates 25 may also be removablycoupled to the tank 15, as detailed further below. The plurality ofadjacent rating plates 25 may contain one of a plurality ofconfigurations for the water heater 10, and may correspond toconfigurations shown on a mobile computing device 50 (see FIG. 2). Theprimary rating plate 20 may include a scannable feature 35 (e.g., a QRcode, a barcode, and/or the like) that may be read by a mobile computingdevice 50. In some embodiments, the water heater 10 is one of aplurality of sizes. In some embodiments, the water heater 10 includes atankless feature.

The first transceiver 30 may be an NFC device, a Bluetooth transmitter,a Wi-Fi transmitter, or the like. The first transceiver 30 maycommunicate with the mobile computing device 50 to provide possibleconfigurations of the water heater 10. Additionally, the firsttransceiver 30 may be coupled to a controller within the water heater 10and allow the controller of the water heater 10 to communicate with themobile computing device 50. In some embodiments, prior to configuration,the water heater 10 is inoperable.

The water heater 10 may be one of a plurality of water heater base unitsstored in a wholesale environment. Each water heater base unit mayinclude a different size tank 15 and may have its own unique pluralityof possible configurations, as detailed further below. Each water heaterbase unit may be compatible with different British Thermal Unit (BTU)inputs.

FIG. 2 illustrates the mobile computing device 50 (e.g., mobile device)according to one embodiment. The mobile computing device 50 may be, forexample, a tablet, a smartphone, a personal computer, and/or the like.In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile computing device 50 includesan electronic processor 55 (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, acontroller, or another suitable programmable device), a first memory 60,a display 65, a network interface 70, and input/output devices 75.

The first memory 60 may include read only memory (ROM), random accessmemory (RAM), other non-transitory computer-readable media, or acombination thereof. The electronic processor 55 may be configured toreceive instructions and data from the first memory 60 and execute,among other things, instructions related to operation of the mobilecomputing device 50. In particular, the electronic processor 55 executesinstructions stored in the first memory 60 to perform the methodsdescribed herein.

The mobile computing device 50 uses network interface 70 to communicatewith a network, such as, for example, a Personal Area Network (PAN), aLocal Area Network (LAN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a WiFinetwork, the Internet, a Bluetooth network, and the like. The networkinterface 70 may include a second transceiver 80 configured to transmitand receive signals from other devices within the same network. Forexample, the electronic processor 55 may communicate with an externalserver using the second transceiver 80. The second transceiver 80 mayalso communicate with the first transceiver 30 of the water heater 10.

The input/output devices 75 may include a combination of digital andanalog input or output devices required to achieve desired functions ofthe mobile computing device 50. For example, alongside a camera 85 and adisplay 65, the input/output devices 75 may include a touch screen, aspeaker, buttons, and the like, to output information or receive userinputs regarding the water heater 10. The electronic processor 55controls the input/output devices 75 to receive inputs related to thewater heater 10 and provide outputs, such as providing possibleconfigurations of the water heater 10 on the display 65. For example,the electronic processor 55 may receive, from the camera 85, a pictureof the scannable feature 35. The electronic processor 55 uses datarecovered from the scannable feature 35 to determine possibleconfigurations of the water heater 10, and provides the possibleconfigurations using the display 65. In some embodiments, the electronicprocessor 55 receives, using a touchscreen of the input/output devices75 or the like, a selection of one of the possible configurations of thewater heater 10. The electronic processor 55 may further communicate,using the second transceiver 80, configuration information to the firsttransceiver 30 of the water heater 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates a control system 90 for the water heater 10 accordingto some embodiments. The control system 90 may include a controller 100,a power supply 106, one or more sensors 108, heater input/output (I/O)devices 110, a burner assembly 112, and the transceiver 30. Asillustrated, in some embodiments the controller 100 includes aprocessing unit 102 and a second memory 104. The processing unit 102 maybe a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, or anothersuitable programmable device. The second memory 104 may include readonly memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), other non-transitorycomputer-readable media, or a combination thereof. The controller 100controls the burner assembly 112 based on information stored in thesecond memory 104. The controller 100 receives power from the powersupply 106. The power supply 106 may be an AC power source. In someembodiments, the power supply 106 provides 120 VAC at a frequency ofapproximately 50 Hz to approximately 60 Hz. In another embodiment, thepower supply 106 provides 220 VAC at a frequency of approximately 50 Hzto approximately 60 Hz.

The controller 100 may receive information from the one or more sensors108 via the heater input/output devices 110. The one or more sensors 108may be, for example, a plurality of temperature sensors related to theburner assembly 112, the fluid stored in the water tank 15, or acombination thereof. The controller 100 may further control the burnerassembly 112 via the heater input/output devices 110. The burnerassembly 112 may include a gas valve 114 and a blower 116. The gas valve114 may be configured to control an amount of gas provided to burnerassembly 112. The burner assembly 112 may use the gas to create a flame.Accordingly, a greater volume of gas provided by the gas valve 114results in a larger flame. The blower 116 may be configured to ventcombustion gases from the water heater 10. For example, the blower 116may provide combustion air for the flame from an outside environment.The blower 116 may also vent combustion air to a location outside thewater heater 10. In some embodiments, the burner assembly 112 mayinclude additional components to assist with operation of the waterheater 10. In some embodiments, the controller 100 controls operation ofthe burner assembly 112 based on signals received by the firsttransceiver 30. The controller 100 may also receive signals from themobile computing device 50 via the first transceiver 30 to controlconfiguration of the water heater 10.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method 200, or process 200, for configuringa water heater 10, according to some embodiments. It should beunderstood that the order of the steps disclosed in method 200 couldvary. Furthermore, additional steps may be added to the sequence and notall of the steps may be required. At block 210, the mobile computingdevice 50 captures the scannable feature 35 of the primary rating plate20. For example, the electronic processor 55, using the camera 85, scansa QR code situated on the primary rating plate 20. In some embodiments,the electronic processor 55 communicates with an NFC device, such as thefirst transceiver 30, to receive information related to configuration ofthe water heater 10. Prior to capturing the scannable feature 35, a userof the mobile computing device 50 may access an application associatedwith the water heater 10. The application may be, for example, a mobileapplication associated with a manufacturer of the water heater 10, anapplication associated with the retailer at which the water heater 10 isbeing sold, or the like. Additionally, following capturing the scannablefeature 35, the mobile computing device 50 may provide a scanningconfirmation on the display 65. For example, FIG. 5A illustrates a userinterface 300 on the display 65. The user interface 300 provides ascanning confirmation illustrating a successful capture of the scannablefeature 35. The scanning confirmation may include, for example, a serialnumber of the water heater 10, a model number of the water heater 10, amaterial number of the water heater 10, and a current configuration ofthe water heater 10.

At block 220, the mobile computing device 50 provides a plurality ofconfigurations associated with the water heater 10 on the display 65.For example, FIG. 5B illustrates a user interface 300 providing aplurality of configurations 305 that correspond with the water heater10, shown by water heater label 310. The water heater label 310 mayindicate what type of base unit from a plurality of base units the waterheater 10 is. For example, the water heater 10 may be one selected froma plurality of water heater base units. In some embodiments, the waterheater serial number 315 may also be provided on the user interface 300.The plurality of configurations 305 may include possible configurationsassociated with the given water heater 10. Each configuration mayindicate a BTU input for the water heater 10. Although threeconfigurations are shown in the plurality of configurations 305, anynumber of configurations may be provided based on the capabilities ofthe water heater 10. For example, a second water heater 10 of adifferent type of base unit may have five possible configurations.

Returning to FIG. 4, at block 230 the mobile computing device 50receives an input indicative of a configuration selection. For example,a user of the mobile computing device 50 selects one of the plurality ofconfigurations 305 using a touchscreen of the display 65. At block 240,the water heater 10 is configured based on the configuration selection.The mobile computing device 50 may transmit configuration information tothe first transceiver 30 of the water heater 10 using the secondtransceiver 80. The configuration information may be transmitted usingNFC technology, and may configure the BTU input for the water heater 10.

In some embodiments, the configuration information is softwaretransmitted from the mobile computing device 50 to the controller 100 ofthe water heater 10. For example, the configuration information istransmitted from the second transceiver 80 of the mobile computingdevice 50 to the first transceiver 30 of the water heater 10. In someembodiments, the configuration information indicates the firing rate forthe burner assembly 112 of the water heater 10. For example, theconfiguration information may include control information for at leastone selected from a group consisting of the gas valve 114 and the blower116. For example, the configuration information may include instructionsregarding operation of the water heater 10, such as operation of the gasvalve 114 to allow a specified amount of gas to a flame in the burnerassembly 112. In some embodiments, the configuration informationincludes instructions regarding the operating rate (e.g., blower rate)of the blower 116. The configuration information may further includesoftware instruction the controller 100 to operate the water heater 10at a BTU input that aligns with the selected configuration.

In some embodiments, following configuration of the water heater 10, themobile computing device 50 may provide the correct adjacent rating plate25. The adjacent rating plate 25 may be indicative of the selectedconfiguration of the water heater 10 and may replace the primary ratingplate 20. Following configuration of the water heater 10, the mobilecomputing device 50 may provide a configuration confirmation using thedisplay 65. For example, FIG. 5C illustrates the user interface 300displaying a configuration confirmation. The configuration confirmationmay include the updated configuration of the water heater 10, the serialnumber of the water heater 10, the material number of the water heater10, and a purchase order (PO) number for the purchase of the waterheater 10. In some embodiments, following configuration of the waterheater 10, the mobile computing device 50 provides a generated invoicebased on the selected configuration. The generated invoice may accompanya base invoice associated with the selected water heater 10.

Thus, the application provides, among other things, a system and methodfor configuring a water heater. Various features and advantages of theapplication are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for configuring a water heater, thesystem comprising: a rating plate coupled to the water heater; and amobile device configured to: capture a scannable feature of the ratingplate; receive an input indicative of a configuration selection; andconfigure the water heater based on the configuration selection.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is further configured to:in response to capturing the scannable feature, displaying a pluralityof configurations associated with the water heater.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the mobile device is further configured to: in responseto receiving the input indicative of the configuration selection,generating an invoice based on the configuration selection.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the scannable feature is one selected from agroup consisting of a QR code and an NFC tag.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein configuring the water heater includes the mobile devicecommunicating with a controller of the water heater using near fieldcommunication.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device isfurther configured to: access an application associated with the waterheater.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the water heater is stored ina wholesale environment.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein configuringthe water heater includes configuring the water heater to a BritishThermal Unit input.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the water heateris one selected from a plurality of water heater base units.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of water heater baseunits has a unique plurality of possible configurations.
 11. A methodfor configuring a water heater, the method comprising: capturing, with amobile device, a scannable feature of a rating plate of the waterheater; receiving, with the mobile device, an input indicative of aconfiguration selection; and configuring, with the mobile device, thewater heater based on the configuration selection.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: displaying, with the mobile device and inresponse to the scannable feature, a plurality of configurationsassociated with the water heater.
 13. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: in response to receiving the input indicative of theconfiguration selection, generating, with the mobile device, an invoicebased on the configuration selection.
 14. The method of claim 11,wherein the scannable feature is one selected from a group consisting ofa QR code and an NFC tag.
 15. The method of claim 11, whereinconfiguring the water heater includes the mobile device communicatingwith a controller of the water heater using near field communication.16. The method of claim 11, further comprising: prior to capturing thescannable feature, accessing, with the mobile device, an applicationassociated with the water heater.
 17. The method of claim 11, whereinconfiguring the water heater includes configuring the water heater to aBritish Thermal Unit input.
 18. The method of claim 11, whereinconfiguring the water heater includes transmitting software from themobile device to the water heater.
 19. The method of claim 18, whereinthe software includes control information for at least one selected froma group consisting of a gas valve of the water heater and a blower ofthe water heater.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the water heateris one selected from a plurality of water heater base units.